FIQH COUNCIL OF NORTH AMERICA

Announcements

Ramadan 1429:
Ramadan this year will start on September 1, 2008 Read more

Eid Al-Fitr 1429:
The Astronimical new moon for Shawal is on Monday, September 29, 2008 . Read more

Article on Eid Al-Adha:
Article on Eid Al-Adha by Dr. Zulfiqar Ali Shah. Uploaded. Read more

Article Topics

Islamic Lunar Calendar Anti-Terrorism General Fiqh Issues Social Issues

THE MUSLIM-CATHOLIC QUESTION

In 1965 Catholic Church allowed its adherents to engage in dialogue with people of other religions. Since then Muslims and Catholics are meeting regularly in different part of the world. In the United States, the Muslim-Catholic dialogue formally began in 1985. National and regional meetings have been co-sponsored by U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Islamic Society of North America and several other Muslim organizations. I have been more directly and regularly involved in the West Coast dialogue of which I have served as a co-chairman with our esteemed Catholic Bishops and leaders. Read More

FCNA Chairman participates in Mecca Conference

In June 2008, the First International Islamic Conference on Dialogue was held in Mecca, Saudi Arabia with Muslim leaders from across the globe. The four-day conference was organized by the Muslim World League with the support of King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. King Abdullah personally inaugurated the conference and welcomed everyone to the first major plenary session which hosted speakers such as: former Iranian president Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, the President of Al-Azhar University in Cairo and the Secretary General of the Muslim World League. In addition to ISNA, there were about 600 international participants from different countries around the world. Representing the true diversity of Islam, leaders of different sects, schools of thought and ethnicities were all represented at the summit in Mecca. Additionally, media outlets from around the world covered the Mecca Conference. Delegations of television, radio and print media journalists were represented from Pakistan, Egypt, United Kingdom, Morocco and many other countries. This clearly showed that the organizers wanted the Muslim masses in those countries to know about the proceedings of the Conference and let the Muslim world celebrate a paradigm shift in modern Islamic thought. Dr. Sayeed Syeed, Dr. Jamal Badawi, Dr. Muzammil Siddiqui and ISNA Vice President Imam Mohammed Magid represented ISNA at the Mecca Conference. They had a good opportunity to talk about their experiences in American interfaith dialogue through addressing the panels, individual meetings and media interviews. The fact that ISNA has given top priority to interfaith dialogue by opening an interfaith office in Washington DC was a clear message to all participants and organizers how the American Muslim community has taken the lead on interfaith dialogue. The Mecca Conference was truly a victory for peaceful cooperation and mutual understanding between various schools of thought within Islamic community. The high profile of the conference and the commitment to support various programs that strengthen dialogue between religions was promising in terms of advancing the image of Islam and Muslims around the world.

A Call for Understanding and Harmony

The Fiqh Council is encouraging all Muslims throughout North America to consider using the new methodology for the sake of unity and to avoid the confusion and disputes that have occurred in the past. However, the Fiqh Council does not intend to force its decision on anyone or any Muslim community. You should follow the decision of your Imam and your Masjid. Moreover, you should do so with great respect and avoiding unnecessary disputes and discussion. It is not expected that everyone will embrace this decision immediately. As with all changes, it will take time for people to understand and appreciate the new method. But, Insha’Allah, once people see the new methodology as a more objective and accurate standard, it will serve to unite us in the near future.

Links

www.isna.net www.islamonline.net Disclaimer: We take no responsibility for the accuracy of the above links